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Kai Lenny has a knack for Sunset Beach

Kai Lenny talks about his third Sunset Beach win, the future and airline fees for those 10ft boards

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 February, 2013 : - - After claiming his third SUP Sunset Pro victory recently, Kai Lenny is quickly becoming one of the most dominant SUP surfers of his generation. Following his monumental win, we rang up Kai to get his take on his win and what he has planned for the future.

So you’ve won your third victory out at Sunset. What’s that feel like to have taken another win out there?

It feels great. It’s hard for me to put into words what it means to have won this event again, but it’s, well, it’s just very special to me. Sunset is such a highly regarded wave and I have so much respect for it. To take a win out there is a big accomplishment for me and something I’ll never take for granted and certainly never forget.

You’ve been quoted as saying that you approach venues like Sunset by not putting any pressure on yourself. Was that true for this last win?

Definitely. I feel like I always do my best in competitions when I don’t put any pressure on myself or psyche myself out at all. For me, I look at the event as a fun opportunity to surf Sunset with just a few other guys out, have some fun in the process, and with any luck make a few heats. If I over think it and let it get to my head, I’ll throw myself off. So the more mellow I am before a heat, the better I usually do.

Coming from Maui, do you feel pretty comfortable when you’re on the North Shore?

I think when you’re surfing on the North Shore you always have to keep yourself focused because it can be a dangerous place if you’re not careful. It can also be a lot of fun, but like anywhere else, you just need to pay attention when you’re surfing. When I do come over here for an event or to get some waves, I stay at Turtle Bay and they take really good care of me. It’s pretty epic, you can surf right there on the hotel at Pool Bars or you can paddle the bay there and grab a great meal. Plus, you’re only a few minutes away from some of the best waves in the world.

So what’s next for you?

It’s actually gonna get really busy for me pretty soon. I’ve got a trip coming up that I’m really excited about. I’ll be heading off to the Maldives and a few other spots. I think this is gonna be the best year of my life. I say that every year, but I think this year’s special.

When you guys travel, you must get killed with fees for board bags for you SUPs

Ha. You’d think so, but I seem to have the best luck with that. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but I have a theory that when you show up with way too much gear and look like you’re out of your element, the airlines will feel sorry for you and let you go for free. At least that seems to be the case for me.

Turtle Bay Resort is host and a part-time home to many of the world’s elite surfers, stand-up paddlers and surf industry executives. It is the official partner and headquarters to some of the world’s premier ocean events including The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, Pipeline Masters, SURFER Magazine Peer Poll Awards, SUP World Tour, Volcom Pipe Pro etc